A Good Waste of $

By Seth Kabala

The sun was setting against the horizon of the farm fields that sloped away for miles from the perch on top of the hill where my parents have their acreage. With 120 some-odd range balls in hand, newly purchased from the Maquoketa Walmart, Drew and Trevor (my teenage brothers), Chris (brother-in-law), and I established an impromptu tee-box opposite the deck off the back of the house.

With dad snapping pics and the rest of the family watching from the distance, we faced west and blasted all $40-worth into the woods and fields and across the gravel road–possibly over a passing pick-up or two–and even toward a neighboring farm. Drew and Trevor assured me it was too far away to hit, but distinct metallic clinks made me doubt their statement and change my stance.

The 60-degree late-September wind whipped hair into my eyes as I watched the woods swallow the last ball, and at that moment, I smiled and thought, This was a good waste of money.